A Lamborghini which featured in the opening scenes of the classic 1969 film The Italian job has found a new home in Flintshire after being discovered in a secret car park in France.

Described as one of the most memorable opening sequences in film history, the Lamborghini Miura was seen cruising through the French Alps before crashing in a tunnel, bursting into flames and being pushed down a ravine.

Now, almost half a century later, the iconic car is back on the map and very much in one piece at Cheshire Classic Cars in Broughton.

Owner Iain Tyrrell, who founded the company in 2005, says finding the car was a “dream come true” and hopes to be able to showcase the Lamborghini at high profile events across the globe.

He said: “I got a tip off from a contact saying it had been found in a secret underground car park in Paris.

“I was sceptical of first of course but I knew two cars were used in that scene – the one you saw being pushed off the ravine was a wreck, and the other was a brand new Lamborghini straight out of the factory due to be delivered to its first owner.

“I flew over to look at it and was absolutely delighted – it was a dream come true.”

Iain says the car – which could be worth almost £1m – is immaculate but is not for sale.

He added: “I’ve been discovering and restoring important cars for a long time, it’s what we do.

“Just recently we have been involved with General Montgomery’s Rolls-Royce which Winston Churchill was driven round in while planning D-Day. It’s amazing to think of the interesting conversations that took place in that and we’re looking forward to it arriving in the next few days.”

Other iconic beauties at Cheshire Classic Cars include Aston Martins, Jaguars, Ferraris, Mercedes and Porches, along with a Rolls-Royce Phantom formally owned by the Sultan of Brunei and used as the London car of the Jordanian Royal Family.

Iain says there is one car he is still determined to get his hands on – the missing Aston Martin DB5 from James Bond blockbuster Goldfinger.

He said: “It is one of five used in the 1964 film and was stolen in the 1980s in America and hasn’t been seen since. I’d love to find it!”